Abolfazl Rahimi, BSc, MSc; Mehdi Masoumi, MD; Mansoor Soroush, MD; Batool Mousavi, MD, MPH
Abstract
Background: Lower limb amputation is the most common type of amputation in veterans. The aim of the study was to assess the orthopaedic problems in war related bilateral lower limb amputees.Methods: In a cross-sectional study, 335 out of 578 survivors with bilateral lower limb amputation were assessed ...
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Background: Lower limb amputation is the most common type of amputation in veterans. The aim of the study was to assess the orthopaedic problems in war related bilateral lower limb amputees.Methods: In a cross-sectional study, 335 out of 578 survivors with bilateral lower limb amputation were assessed by three orthopaedic surgeons.Results: The mean age was 42.05±6.3 and 97.6% were male. The most common cause of amputation was land mine 89.7% (601 limbs). Both trans-tibia was the most common level of amputation 37.6% (126 people). The length of stump in about half of the survivors was short or tall. The most common orthopaedic problems were spasm of stump muscle 42.7% (281 limbs), which was followed by heterotypic ossification 11.55% (76 limbs), neuroma 10.2% (67 limbs), and inflammation 10.1% (67 limbs). About 10.9% of survivors needed stump revision.Conclusion: The study revealed that the prevalence of orthopaedic complications among the amputees was high. Regular and routine assessment, rehabilitation programs and treatment is necessary for the bilateral lower limb amputees.
